Apple has released watchOS 11.6.1, introducing a significant change to the Blood Oxygen app on Apple Watch models sold in the United States. This update modifies the way the feature displays readings, likely in response to ongoing patent disputes that previously led to import restrictions on certain Apple Watch models.
In this update, the Blood Oxygen app no longer shows detailed readings for U.S. users. Instead of displaying the numerical oxygen saturation percentage, the app now simply confirms whether a measurement was successfully taken. This change appears to be part of Apple’s effort to comply with U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) rulings that impacted the sale of Apple Watch models featuring SpO2 functionality.
The change impacts Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2, and other compatible models sold in the U.S. Watches purchased outside the United States or set up in other regions still display the original detailed Blood Oxygen readings. Apple has not confirmed if this restriction will be permanent or if it will be lifted once the legal dispute is resolved.
The ITC import ban was related to a patent infringement complaint from medical technology company Masimo, which claimed that Apple’s SpO2 sensor technology infringed on its patents. The ban briefly halted Apple Watch sales in the U.S. late last year before temporary modifications allowed devices to return to the market without the disputed feature enabled.
This change in watchOS 11.6.1 effectively alters the user experience for Apple Watch owners in the U.S., as it reduces the app’s health monitoring detail. While the modification may frustrate some users, Apple is likely prioritizing compliance to avoid another sales ban while continuing to contest the legal decision.
Apple continues to promote the Apple Watch as a powerful health tool, but this latest update shows the company’s willingness to adapt features regionally to comply with local regulations. Users outside the U.S. will still benefit from the full range of Blood Oxygen readings, while those in the U.S. may have to wait for a resolution in Apple’s dispute with Masimo to regain access to detailed SpO2 data.
